Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Can ketone halogenation be selective?

MeshPL - 14-6-2016 at 09:41

So, I've been thinking about some theoretical and not very useful synthesis. And I started wondering, whether ketone bromination can be selective.

I wonder if I treated a ketone with one alpha position much more hindered (eg. 4-methylpenta-2-one) first with a hindered base (for example lithium diisopropylamide) at low temperature and than withquantitative amount of bromine, would I get a ketone selectively brominated in a less hindered alpha position? (eg. 1-bromo-4-methylpenta-2-one)

Since we are using a strong, hindered base and a limited amount of bromine, as well as kinetic controll, I guess (and only guess) it should be possible.